John 19:31-42; Matt. 27:62-66

Sometime after Friday’s events and Sunday’s sunrise, both Mary’s left the tomb alone. Only the soldiers were there to seal and guard it. It was the Sabbath, a day of rest and reflection and all of the disciples sure had plenty to contemplate on this day.

They were probably considering what happened and most likely questioning what they could have done differently; how they could have helped, fought back, interceded. They were seeking where their courage had gone; why their faith had faltered.

And so they waited.

For what, they didn’t know. They had Jesus’ words of resurrection in 3 days, but that was far from their minds. It wasn’t until much later they remembered that. Right now, it was simply waiting….

…for their turn on the cross? …for the whole movement to dissipate?

…for something unimaginable to happen?

It was Jesus, by the way. Anything was possible.

So as they waited…so we wait on the edge of our seat, on tiptoes, for whatever is to happen next!

Let us pray this prayer from the Book of Common Prayer for Holy Saturday.

Merciful and everliving God, Creator of heaven and earth,

    The crucified body of your Son was laid in the tomb

          and rested on this holy day.

Grant that we may await with him the dawning of the third day

    and rise in newness of life, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.